If you want to make some more plants for free, now is a good time to take cuttings. Penstemons, Rosemary, Lavender, Geraniums (pelargoniums, not the hardy herbaceous ones), and Salvias all root really quickly at this time of year and it’s not difficult.  If in doubt, have a go, it really is easy and fun!

All you need is a pot of free draining compost and a small pot. Add plenty of grit if your compost is on the heavy side, especially for geranium cuttings as they hate damp, claggy soil.  Cut a piece off around 10 or 15 centimetres long, chose a stem with no flowers if you can, cutting just below a leaf.  Cut off carefully the bottom leaves leaving just a few on the top and insert quickly and quite deeply around the edge of a small  pot where it will drain best.  If they dry right out they won’t thrive.

Then keep the cuttings misted and out of the hot sun for 2 or three weeks or until you see the roots coming out the bottom of the pot.  Don’t panic if they wilt in the first few days, they will pick up after a short while as long as you keep them damp. When they start to grow new leaves and there are plenty of roots to see it’s time to put them into a pot of their own.  Good luck!

Visiting gardens is one of the most fun things to do over the summer, and there are plenty to see.  Here are a few suggestions:

Felley Priory Gardens in Underwood NG16 5FJ is worth a visit pretty much all season.  On 3rd Sunday in September there is a plant sale which is usually a very good one with unusual plants from local nurseries.  www.felleypriory.co.uk  01773 810230.

On 16 August the Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery,  is open through the National Garden Scheme  (NGS) specialising in rare woody plants.  It is open pretty much all year too.  The plants are expensive but really well grown and the advice from the owners is second to none, especially if you are after a more unusual tree.  As it’s an arboretum you can see the trees growing  in situ, always helpful if you want to imagine it in your own garden. We have purchased an Indian Bean Tree and a Swamp Cypress from there, both are fabulous, healthy and happy trees.  The nursery is in Smisby, LE65 2TA,  01530 413700.  Don’t go in Spring assuming there are bluebells though, there are not!

The Old Vicarage at Halam  NG22 8AH  is a lovely traditional country garden open on 6 August, and the interesting and varied University Park Gardens on 13 August in Nottingham NG7 2RD are both open  under the NGS.   www.ngs.org.uk to check out where and when a garden is open near you.

However  for me, nothing really compares with the garden at Great Dixter. It’s in East Sussex in Northiam TN31 6PH,  01797 252b878.  It is a long trek to get there I know but that’s where we’re heading soon. I can’t wait, its exuberant, colourful gardens and meadows completely immerse you in colour and scent.  It’s not too far from Sissinghurst either, so I’m really looking forward to a good few days mooching round two fabulous, but very different, gardens.

Most importantly enjoy your own garden in the coming months.  The all-round benefits of gardening and just being in a garden surrounded by wildlife are now very well established,  so make sure you get the most out of the summer and early Autumn.  It really is good for your health and the household chores really can wait!